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Help Upgrading Alienware X51 Graphics Card

Okay so I've seen other people have asked this question but I can't help but want to ask as well just to be 'really' sure. I always get nervous when buying stuff for my pc, but I have been having problems running some newer games and I need to upgrade.

Will there be a problem with me using that card? I selected it because, after looking at the alienware website, that particular card, the 960, is the card that is used in the top of the line tier of X51 pc's that are available to purchase today. I figured that it would work because of that but I need to know for sure.

I love my pc and have a pretty good grasp on most software but I have never been the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware. Please any help would be very appreciated!

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Okay so I've seen other people have asked this question but I can't help but want to ask as well just to be 'really' sure. I always get nervous when buying stuff for my pc, but I have been having problems running some newer games and I need to upgrade.

Will there be a problem with me using that card? I selected it because, after looking at the alienware website, that particular card, the 960, is the card that is used in the top of the line tier of X51 pc's that are available to purchase today. I figured that it would work because of that but I need to know for sure.

I love my pc and have a pretty good grasp on most software but I have never been the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware. Please any help would be very appreciated!

38Devand,

Yes, that video card should work.

The only issue that I am concerned about is the power supply unit (PSU).

I looked through the inside of my tower and couldn't find any sticker like I've read that is supposed to be displayed for the PSU info, but took a look at my AC/DC adapter and the only info on it that I could make out was this:

AC/DC Adapter

Input: 100-240v ~ 4.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5v - 16.9A

If what is written on that adapter is accurate for my power supply it looks like 240v is the maximum for my PSU what do you think?

I looked through the inside of my tower and couldn't find any sticker like I've read that is supposed to be displayed for the PSU info, but took a look at my AC/DC adapter and the only info on it that I could make out was this:

AC/DC Adapter

Input: 100-240v ~ 4.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5v - 16.9A

If what is written on that adapter is accurate for my power supply it looks like 240v is the maximum for my PSU what do you think?

38Devand,

No, 240v is not what we are looking for.

You do need to take the side panel off and see if you can read the label that is on the power supply unit.

If you cannot read it or if the label is on the other side... then you need to take off the other side panel in order to read the info that you need.

from http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51-r2/pd, if you scroll down to bottom half of page, under sub-category of Chassis, there are power supply ratings for various Alienware x51 builds. They are all listed as either 240 Watt or 330 Watt.

If your computer has a PSU that is 330 Watts or less, you shouldn't buy this card. From what I have read, this card might draw up to 200 Watts by itself, while gaming. That is why you want a bigger PSU - 400 Watts may be enough, hard to say for sure.